2 chix (1 negative), no date

This collection contains many of the records generated by the DeKalb Genetics Corporation. The materials, dating from 1910-2011, provide information for a basic history of the company; for ascertaining the role played by the industry in the DeKalb area, the United States, and around the world; for the research in the company's areas of expertise; and for analyzing marketing techniques and approaches. The collection is organized into 10 series: Historical Research and General Corporate Records, Sales and Production, Research, Publications, Subject Files, Subsidiaries, Charlie Gunn, Dave Wagley, Rubendall, and Audio-visuals. While most of the collection is in English, there is material in various languages. The Historical Research and General Corporate Records series (I) is divided into two subseries. The Historical Research subseries consists of histories, historical research, and merger information from DeKalb Genetics subsidiaries. The second subseries, General Corporate Records, contains annual reports, correspondence, personnel changes, and some financial information. Also included in this subseries are flowcharts and information pertaining to company actions and government property purchased by DeKalb Genetics. The second series, Sales and Production includes the information used by the dealers in the selling of the DeKalb Genetics commodities as well as the production of seed to sell. This includes such material as handbooks and manuals, price lists, catalogs, direct mailings sent to the farmers, ads, and ad campaigns. Seed Sales Summary reports, production and yield estimates, variety summaries and a sales journal complete this series. The Research series (III) is divided into nine subseries: Corn, Cotton, Poultry, Sorghum, Wheat, Wintergraze, Soybeans, Swine, and Other. Each subseries consists of the research accomplished by the research teams in such areas as diseases, breeding, and production. Included in the Other subseries are general information pertaining to agricultural research and multiple plant research. The Publications series (IV) includes the magazines and newsletters published by DeKalb Genetics. The Subject Files comprise the fifth series and includes speeches, publicity, movie scripts, competitor companies' literature, the American Farmer campaign, scholarships and awards, Field Days, and information on the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Farm Policy, and the Sycamore Preserve Works. The sixth series, Subsidiaries, consist of four subseries on different companies owned by DeKalb Genetics. The subseries include: Calgene; Heinhold, a swine and commodities brokerage firm; DeKalb Energy, an oil and natural gas company; and Trojan. Series seven, eight and nine consist of records from individuals that worked in DeKalb Genetics. Series seven is Charlie Gunn who was an early corn breeding expert for the company. This series contains early corn breeding information from 1924 to the 1940s. The Dave Wagley is the eighth series in the collection. This series consist of sales and stock reports, some from the 1980s, many from the 1990s. The ninth series is the Duane Rubendall series. This series consists of advertising and design related items divided into four subseries: International, General Company, Ads, and Audio-visuals. These subseries contain sketches, booklet and calendar designs, film, and sales tapes. The series also contains awards presented to Rubendall and community related work including Kishwaukee Hospital Plaque designs. The Audio-Visual series (X) encompasses the different types of media used in the public relations field by DeKalb Genetics. The series consists of fifteen subseries: Photographs, Glass Plate Negatives, Negatives and Transparencies, Slides, Cassettes, Filmstrips, Records, Sound Recordings, Films, VHS, Betacam, Large/small VC-Umatic, CDs, Miscellaneous, and Artifacts. The photographs, glass plate negatives, and negatives and transparencies include such subjects as animals, machinery, research, facilities, and personnel. A searchable database exists for these photographs, but researchers must contact the Regional History Center to inquire about its use. Some of the photographs have negatives which are located in the negative subseries under the same title listed on the envelopes. The slides consist of dealer programs and presentations while the cassettes encompass interviews, commercials, and a history of DeKalb Genetics. Some slide presentations contain related script and tape. Slides are arranged by date of slide, not image, within a given presentation. The filmstrips, records, reel-to reels, films, sound recordings, VHS, Betacam, Large/small VC-Umatics contains such subjects of interest as corn, sorghum, poultry, corn borers, training, and commercials. Some of the films are categorized as film produced by or for DeKalb AgResearch; voice-over commercials; farmer testimonial commercials and miscellaneous films. All films are in black and white except for the ones indicated in color in the collection inventory. Of special interest in the film subseries is a film produced by Walt Disney entitled, "The Grain That Built a Hemisphere." Some of the filmstrips have accompanying records and are listed under the same title in the subseries. Of special interest is a record with a description of the July 26, 1955 Russian visit to DeKalb Genetics. The Compact Disk subseries includes presentations as well as photographs of hats, pens, and other items with the DeKalb Genetics flying ear corn logo. Included in the miscellaneous subseries is 3.5 floppy disks, a unipak (filmstrip and reel-to-reel sound recording in the same case), and an unidentified wire recording. The last subseries of audio-visuals contains artifacts. Artifacts include bumper stickers, signs, bags, hat with flying ear corn logo, puzzles and other materials. In addition, artifacts are divided further into two works of art, two containers of plant samples, a container of postcards, and books. Located in drawers 31 and 32 are oversized items. Drawer 31 contains blueprints from various office buildings and poultry facilities and promotional and advertising material connected to series two as well as posters related to conventions, planter plate information, and others. Drawer 32 contains a sorghum bumper sticker and coverage maps, as well as artifacts such as a seed bag and other ads.